Contact lenses are small, thin plastic disks that are designed to rest on the cornea. The cornea is a clear tissue on the front surface of the eye and it is surrounded by the white sclera.

Description of Contact Lenses

It is estimated that there are more than 30 million contact lens wearers in the U.S.

Contact lenses are mostly used to correct blurry vision caused by nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. These are conditions in which images are not focused properly on the retina (a clear sheet of nerve tissue located in the inner back wall of the eye which functions much like the film of a camera) and, therefore, cannot be relayed clearly to the brain).

Contact lenses stick to the tear film that covers the front of the eye, so that each time the eyelid blinks, it passes over the lens and causes it to move slightly. This motion allows fresh tears to flow under the lenses providing necessary lubrication and oxygen to the underlying cornea.

Contact lenses are also used to manage many diseases of the cornea, conjunctiva, or lids. Some common disorders treated with contact lenses include keratoconus (an abnormally cone-shaped cornea), a wound leak after eye surgery, and severe blurry vision, caused by high nearsightedness or astigmatism, that is not correctable with conventional glasses.

Types Of Contact Lenses

The first contact lenses developed in the 1950s were hard plastic lenses that fit over the cornea. Because these lenses did not let adequate oxygen into the eye, there were problems with swelling, redness, blurry vision, and general discomfort. Most eye doctors no longer prescribe them because there are now newer, easier-to-wear lenses available.

The two types of contact lenses most often used today are soft lenses and rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses.

Soft lenses came on the market in 1970, and now about 80 percent of American contact lens wearers use them. Their “softness” comes from the amount of water that the lenses contain, and they feel pliable rather than hard. Because of its soft texture, people usually find them comfortable right away, and its comfort allows one to wear them for longer periods of time than RGP lenses. They are less likely to pop out during strenuous activity, and it is harder for foreign particles to get behind them than behind rigid lenses.

RGP lenses became available in 1979 and are now used by about 15 percent of contact lens wearers. They are stiffer in feel and appearance than soft lenses. RGP lenses allow at least as much oxygen as do soft lenses. They usually give superior vision (especially when someone has astigmatism or very high nearsightedness and farsightedness) and are easier to care for and usually last much longer than soft lenses.

In addition to these basic lenses, new types have been added over the past several years. One of these is extended wear lenses, either soft or RGP, that can be worn continuously for up to six days. Presently over 4 million people wear them. These lenses can be more convenient, but there are concerns about people overwearing them. Continuous use of extended wear contact lenses can increase one’s risk of corneal abrasion or infection. Infection of the cornea can lead to blindness. If contact lenses are not cleaned as instructed, then the risk of infection increases.

Disposable soft lenses arrived on the market several years ago. These lenses can be worn for up to two weeks and then thrown away. Not only are they convenient, but they do not have much chance to get dirty, which makes them clean and comfortable and eliminates many of the worries about infection that come from extended wear. However, it is still recommended that contact lenses be removed during sleep, because the risk of infection increases with overnight use. Not surprisingly, disposable lenses are more expensive, but if one adds up costs of cleaning supplies and replacements for other types of lenses, the expense may be equivalent.

Tinted soft lenses, which actually can change the appearance of the color of your eyes, have become a hot fashion item. There are several types – some that change the color of light-colored eyes, others that color brown eyes. These lenses tend to be more expensive.

Problems Associated With Contact Lenses

Contact lens wearers can encounter problems with their lenses. A small group may be unable to wear contact lenses at all because of hypersensitivity, difficult optical requirements, or personal hygiene habits.

Lenses can irritate the eye because of dryness due to problems with tear production. Tear production may be inadequate, especially in older individuals.

The most dreaded and potentially blinding risk of contact lens wear is corneal ulceration, or infection. Corneal ulcerations occur more commonly in soft contact lens wearers, because the comfort level of soft contact lenses allow one to wear them for extended periods of time, thus increasing the potential for overnight use. Among the contact lens wearers in the U.S., there are an estimated 12,000 corneal ulcers per year. Factors that contribute to infection included prolonged wear time, poor sanitation and cleaning habits (remember to clear your contact lens cases as well), and dry eye syndrome. Some people will often lubricate their contact lenses with their own saliva, on their tongue, if cleaning supplies are not immediately available, and this is certainly not recommended!

Another common problem that can occur with soft lenses is that people develop sensitivity of the eyes and lids, either to the maintenance solutions or to mucus forming on the lens surface itself. Symptoms include decreased lens movement, increased mucus, and redness of the conjunctiva (the clear tissue overlying the white part of the eye). In order to overcome the these symptoms, the person generally must stop wearing contact lenses for several months and then start again with new lenses and a different type of maintenance solution.

With rigid lenses, abrasion of the cornea can occur because of rapid buildup of wearing time during the adaptation period, particularly with a lens that is not fit correctly. Wearing the contact lens too many hours per day can cause the same problem. Symptoms of corneal abrasions are pain and tearing. With patching and/or antibiotics applied to the eye, symptoms usually improve within 24 hours.

Remember that soft lenses present a greater risk of corneal ulceration due to extended wear time. The risk may be as high as 8 times that of daily wear lenses. Disposable lenses do not overcome the risk of corneal ulceration.

The wearing of contact lenses should be stopped if the eyes become red or infected, if vision is blurred, or if the lenses become uncomfortable. If symptoms do not resolve within a few hours, immediate ophthalmologic care should be sought.

Tips On Care Of Contact Lenses

# Wash your hands with soap before touching your lenses; avoid soaps with eye-irritating beeswax or lanolin.
# Mucus, tear proteins and environmental pollutants can build up on your lenses; ask your eye doctor about the best daily cleaner for your type of lenses.
# Many doctors recommend that you disinfect all lens types daily with a heat, chemical, or hydrogen peroxide system.
# Use an enzymatic cleaner weekly to remove residue your daily cleaner missed.
# Always store your lenses clean; rinse your lens case and let it air dry.
# Buy small, instead of large, containers of lens care products; small containers are more quickly emptied and thus less likely to get contaminated.
# Apply eye make-up after putting your lenses in your eyes.
# Use hair sprays, perfumes, and spray deodorants in another room before you insert lenses.
# Check your eyes every morning for redness or unusual mucus at the edges; pain, watery eyes, sensitivity to light or blurry vision are signals to call the doctor.
# Remove lenses at once when your eyes become red or irritated; always carry your glasses with you.

The Acuvue 2 Color Contacts are the Johnson & Johnson color choice. The regular Acuvue 2 is one of the most popular models in the line-up of many different contacts. Now the Acuvue 2 is tinted, but the tint doesn’t change eye color. Want a new look? Say go from brown eyes to sapphire. That’s the Acuvue 2 contacts with color.

You get two model choices. Firstly, if you want to enhance natural color pick the Acuvue 2 Colours – Enhancers. this model comes in natural colors designed to enhance your natural eye color plus add sparkle. You get the same 1 to 2 week disposables as the Acuvue 2, but with color. These are clean every night contacts that you replace every week or two so you get fresh contacts often. They’re affordable and noted for great comfort.

The other model is the Acuvue 2 Colours – Opaque. Go wild and completely change your eye color. Choose Deep Blue, Chestnut Brown, Pearl Gray, Jade Green, Hazel Green, Warm Honey, or Sapphire Blue. Change colors to match your mood or your whims or whatever. Looks like your natural color even though it isn’t.

Once you have a prescription for the Acuvue 2, you can get the color you want. Often your eye doctor won’t stock your prescription in the color you want. That means they will order the lenses and you get to wait, sometimes for days and days. Here’s how to save some money. You can buy cheap contact lenses in colors online. The online sources almost always ship to you fast. They have better inventory than your doctor. That’s their specialty.

You can change your eye color with these contacts even if you don’t need prescription contacts. Just choose no prescription contacts for an eye color change.

So consider ordering your Acuvue 2 Color Contacts online to save money and get your contacts faster too. Get just the eye color you want and get the contacts fast by ordering online.

The Romans have been said to have used water filled glasses to read with and while watching those who were less fortunate to be in an arena they used some stones of various colors to shield their eyes. Romans were known for wanting the best out of life so its no surprise that they used stones like quartz to enhance vision or reduce glare

Salvino D’Armate invented the first known official pair of eyeglasses around 1284 in Italy. Alessandro Spina has been also said to be the first. Italians introduced eyeglasses to the Chinese and folk loar says Chinese judges used green eyeglasses to hide their expressions while passing judgment.

Eyeglass designer and maker of scientific devices James Ayscough developed a set of eyeglasses that used clear or green lenses in 1752. Ayscough thought that the green lenses helped vision some and relieved some eye fatigue. He was an apprentice to James Mann. The two became partners in developing microscopes and the publishing of articles.

By the early part of the 1900′s well known figures helped inspire the production and use of sunglasses. In 1929 Sam Foster started selling his version of sunglasses called Foster Grants.

The polarization of sunglasses was accomplished by Edwin H. Land. Land invented polarized material that he used on sunglasses. George Wheelright and Land became partners and started in 1937 the Polaroid Corporation. Lands polarized sheeting material was use in sunglasses, 3-D movies and for military use. Later the polaroid camera came along another of Lands products.

By the 1950′s sunglasses were exploding on the scene with great stride and to present time sunglasses have become more popular than ever. Manufacturers now have improved sunglasses greatly not only providing great styles, but now sunglasses protect against UVA & UVB Lights Rays and from eye problems such as macular degeneration. So make sure you protect your eyes and your childrens.

People who are far or near sighted need the aid of spectacles in order to have perfect vision. Although glasses are here to help us, wearing them can also pose a hindrance to our daily lives. For some people, wearing glasses meddles with their fashion statements.

The above-mentioned situations eventually led way to the production of contact lenses. People who are suffering with vision deficiency now have the option to look fabulous. However, they are still poised to decide on whether to use monthly contacts or continuous wear contact lenses. If you are one of them, try reading this article till the end. This might help you in deciding which is better for your needs.

Understanding contact lenses

Monthly and continuous wear contact lenses are categorized as extended wear contacts. They are so-called because they are both designed to last more than the usual lenses that needs to be replaced daily, weekly or bi-monthly.

Whether it is monthly or continuous wear contact lenses, people should still know if they can use this kind of contact lenses. There are conditions wherein one is not permitted to use these visual aids.

Deciding on which

Monthly contact lenses can be worn for 30 days. However, people using this kind of lenses must take them out at night and soak them in a specialized solution. Continuous wear contact lenses, on the other hand, also lasts for 30 days. The only difference is that they do not need soaking and taking off at night.

People cannot just opt to use continuous wear contact lenses. They must first consult with their ophthalmologist. It is because there are people who have sensitive eyes. Those are usually the ones that cannot stand the abrasion that continuous wear contacts give. Patients with dry eyes are also not advised to wear contact lenses.

With these conditions in mind, ophthalmologists usually suggest that patients consider different types of contact lenses. This would help them ascertain the type of contact lens that is most compatible for their patient.

FDA today approved Focus Night and Day soft contact lenses, made by CIBA Vision Corporation, for up to 30 nights of continuous wear. The lenses may be left in the eyes while the wearer is both awake and asleep. Currently contact lenses are approved for up to seven days extended wear.

Focus Night and Day lenses may be prescribed for either daily wear or for extended wear up to 30 nights. The lenses should be replaced every month, as recommended by the eye care professional. When removed in between replacement times, the lenses should be cleaned and disinfected before reinsertion, or disposed of. Once lenses are removed, eyes should have a rest without lens wear for at least one night.

FDA based approval of the longer wear schedule on a clinical study of safety and effectiveness conducted by CIBA Vision at 59 medical centers in the United States and on the recommendation of the Ophthalmic Devices Panel of FDA’s Medical Devices Advisory Committee.

The firm, located in Duluth, Ga., studied 697 people over one year who wore the Focus lenses for up to 30 nights of continuous wear before replacing them. The company compared these results with 698 people who wore a different brand of soft contact lenses approved for up to six nights of continuous wear before replacing them.

Not everyone with the 30-day lenses reached and maintained the maximum wear time of 30 continuous days and nights for the entire one-year study period. Maximum wear time is strongly influenced by individual response to lens wear. About 67% achieved an average wearing schedule of 22 to 31 days wearing the Focus lenses. Approximately 93% of patients with the Focus lenses who completed the one-year study achieved at least 20/25 vision.

About 5% of the 697 people who began the 30 night extended wear arm of the study experienced at least one episode of infilrative keratitis, a localized inflammation of the cornea. Other less serious problems included conjunctivitis, dry eyes and mild burning or stinging.

Although no corneal ulcers occurred with the Focus Lens during the study, CIBA Vision will conduct a post-marketing study to determine the potential long-term risk of developing serious eye infections, such as corneal ulcers, from wearing the lenses up to 30 nights continuous wear.

All extended wear contact lenses carry a greater risk of serious complications than lenses worn during waking hours only. These risks include corneal ulcers that may develop rapidly and, if left untreated, cause scarring or, in rare cases, loss of vision. The risk of developing corneal ulcers during extended wear is greater for smokers. In addition, some medications and medical conditions can interfere with overnight contact lens wear. Patients should, therefore, carefully discuss the benefits and risks of extended wear lenses with their eye care professional.

People should never wear their contact lenses for longer periods than recommended by their eye care professional. They should immediately remove their lenses and promptly contact their eye care professional if they experience eye discomfort, foreign body sensation, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems. Follow-up care and periodic checkups are also essential to decrease the risk of complications.

There are a variety of contacts that are designed to be used for a specific amount of time:

Disposable

Disposable contact lenses can be used once before throwing them out. Because of this, they are often cheaper and are the ideal solution for anyone who doesn’t want the fuss and bother of dealing with cleaning and rinsing solutions. It can be tempting to wear them for longer than the recommended period, but this will cause irritation and blurry vision and could even damage your eyes. Depending on the type you have, they will need to be replaced daily, weekly or monthly. Colored disposable contact lenses can be used intermittently for longer as they are usually only for decorative use.

Many long term wear contact lenses are actually disposable, as well.

Daily Wear

These are available in either hard or soft lenses and can be used during the day only, they are removed during the night. This type of contact lens must be carefully cleaned according to instructions before putting them back into your eyes in the morning. Without cleaning, the lens could trap debris against your eye and cause irritation. It is also a good idea to use the proper cleaning solutions and times for best results.

Extended or Long Term Wear

Most contacts with this option can be used continuously for up to a week, including overnight. However, there are some soft contact lenses that actually allow you to wear them for 30 days straight. They will then need to be discarded or thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before reuse.
The main reason extended wear contacts can be used for so long is because they allow oxygen to reach the eye, making them safe for continuous use. One of the disadvantages of extended wear contacts is that it tends to be easier to develop an infection, however the convenience usually outweighs this possible issue.

Flexible Wear

Some people find it easier to remove and clean their extended wear contact lenses each night. This lets them use them for longer and when a situation comes up (sleeping over, camping, or travel), the contact lenses can safely be used overnight without any ill effects. This often provides the best of both worlds to contact users and eliminates the need to carry glasses with them on overnight trips.

Caring for Your Eyes

Just because your contact lens is supposed to be good for a long period of time doesn’t mean you should necessarily use them for that length of time. It’s important to pay attention to your eyes and know when you need to remove the contacts. Sometimes eyes are more sensitive as when you are recovering from an injury or pink-eye.

If your eyes feel irritated, hot or itchy with contact lenses in, or if your vision is blurry, it might be a good idea to try removing them and going without for a bit. To avoid these problems, be sure to follow the directions on how to clean and look after your contact lenses. Torn edges or cracks can also damage your eye, sometimes permanently.

With the increasing demand of eyeglasses, more and more designers are in the market with designer eyeglasses available in varied shapes and sizes. Earlier eyeglasses were considered the accessory of only studious people. But now they have become fashion statements, as even celebrities wear eyeglasses in reel and real life.

Considering the popularity of eyeglasses, renowned designers such as Scojo, Amy Sacks and Vidivici are coming up with different kinds of eyeglasses that includes bifocal, classics, half frame and full frame reading eyeglasses. The best part of opting for designer eyeglasses is as follows:

- Designer eyeglasses reward an envious look to the user
- With designer eyeglasses, one can improve vision in a chic way
- Designer eyeglasses can help the user to hide bad features and highlight good features of the face
- One can get an unmatchable appeal by choosing frameless, folding, tinted and funky eyeglasses
- Reading sunglasses are perfect way to get a cool feel while enjoying the summer beach or pool parties without getting into trouble with countering for poor eye vision.

The best place to shop for designer eyeglasses is none other than websites dealing in the same. An extensive range of designer eyeglasses such as men’s reading glass, cigar by Vidivici and wide reading eyeglasses are offered by the online stores to the buyers.

Online service providers are a team of ABO certified opticians dedicated to use their unmatchable skill, expertise and sound experience in providing best quality of eye wear such as reading eyeglasses to the buyers. The opticians on the panel of the websites are available round the clock. They answer their curious questions regarding the usability and appeal of reading eyeglasses

One of the most popular designs of cosmetic contact lenses is the pitch black contact lens. Superb for Halloween parties as well as great for terrifying surprise of your friends and family, those types of lenses are just the perfect choice for any adventurer.

Pitch black contact lens should normally cover your whole eye – no while should be visible. You should attain that freaky “undead” look so popular in the horror movies. Covering the well the whole eye, not leaving uncovered spots however the tricky part is when it comes to buying good contact lens.

Since there is no way to know if a certain type or brand will fit your eyes it is best to ask someone you know who already purchases similar product or just check online forums for recommendations. As with buying any other lenses it is highly recommended that you don’t buy these lenses manufactured by an unknown company – investing some extra money in them can save you prom various eye problems that may be caused by wearing bad quality lenses.

Wearing these lenses is great fun indeed, but there is one more issue for you to consider. Since they are dark and cover your whole eye, they practically have the same effect as sun glasses – darken your vision. So even if you wear them in a well light room you may still be unable to see objects properly. If you plan wearing your contact lens in darker rooms make sure you have someone to help you move around or just be extra careful not to injure yourself.

Finally some word about safety. Pitch black contact lens should not stay in your eye for longer periods of time and you should clean them before and after use using suitable solutions. If you feel any type of irritation when you first put them on or during the time they are in your eyes, remove them as soon as possible and consult a doctor. These lenses are safe to use and still some people may be allergic or just inconvenient using them. If you happen to be one of those, don’t despair – there are still many other special effect cosmetic lenses available for you to try.

This Halloween, why not take your costume to the next level? With Halloween contact lenses (also commonly known as “special effects contact lenses” or “decorative lenses”) you can do just that. As long as you adhere to the health and safety advice mentioned below, Halloween contacts could be the perfect finishing touch to bring the character in your costume to life!

Special effect contacts have been used in film, television, and theatre, even rock concert stages, for years, and now they’re available at affordable prices to you, the consumer. You can find decorative contact lenses in all kinds of styles. From simple colors (ever wanted to be a red-eyed alien or a green-eyed reptile?) to elaborate designs (zebra stripes, stars, flowers, X’s…) there are as many ways to use decorative contact lenses to enhance your Halloween ensemble as there are jack o’ lanterns aglow on All Hallow’s Eve.

Some of the great designs and styles of Halloween contacts available this year include: hypnotic spirals, cat eyes, wolf eyes, eagle eyes, bloodshot eyes, flames, all-white, all-black. It really gets your creative wheels spinning doesn’t it? What are you going to be this year after all?

One variable you’ll have to consider when poring through the choices is whether you want Halloween contact lenses that cover the entire sclera (that’s the whites of your eyes) or just the pupil (the eyeball). There’s plenty in either category, making it either harder or easier to decide, depending upon your viewpoint.

Knowing the kind of look you’re going for will help a lot. Are you, for example, trying to transform yourself into a particular character (a Vampire, possibly, or even more specifically, the Vampire Lestat himself – because that’s available too)? Special effects lenses that include the entire sclera often creates an all-encompassing, fully-transformative effect, incorporating more of the whole body into “becoming” this other figure. But maybe you merely want to accentuate a “look”, the zeitgeist of an era, or an abstract concept. For this latter option, a cute design or a picture superimposed on your pupil alone, like a temporary tattoo, might be just the thing.

Some current favorites of the decorative lenses you’ll find include those with the Biohazard /”Radioactive” symbol, symbols of poker suits, stars-and-stripes, Dune eyes, dollar-sign eyes, spider webs, smiley faces, both Predator eyes and Alien eyes, both Darth Vader and the Sith. You’ll find styles and designs both timely and timeless as you explore all the options of Halloween lenses available.

Crucial in the safe and responsible use of special effect contact lenses for Halloween or at any other time, according to the FDA, is involvement by a licensed eye care professional. In fact, it’s the law. Decorative lenses improperly made or used improperly have been known to cause permanent eye injury and even eventual blindness. Therefore, you must see your eye doctor before shopping for Halloween contact lenses to get proper fitting and instructions as well as the necessary prescription. You will need this whether you ordinarily wear prescription lenses or not. And don’t even think of purchasing decorative lenses from any store (online or off) that doesn’t ask for your prescription; it is illegal.

Some of the things your doctor will invariably tell you are that decorative contact lenses are not for everyday wear. Consider them for special occasions only. Never sleep or swim or bathe with them in, and don’t use them while engaging in any activity that requires sharp visual acuity, for example cooking or driving or operating heavy machinery. In plain English – someone could get hurt.

Halloween contacts should not be worn unceasingly for long periods of time since prolonged use can cause strain and infection. And they should be clean and disinfected carefully before and after each use, according to your doctor’s instruction. If after using Halloween contact lenses, you notice redness, swelling, or feel any sort of pain in the area, please contact your eye doctor immediately. Even if it turns out to be nothing, the joy in Halloween is that the danger is imagined, so let’s keep it that way.

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

A cat’s eye contact lens can be quite striking, especially if the color resembles your natural eye color. Your friends will notice the change, but the effect will
be very subtle. Many movie or rock stars now use special fx lenses away from their place of work, purely for the cosmetic effect. And a very powerful effect it is too!

Imagine the scene at a night club, as you casually walk towards someone you would like to impress, with your eyelids down and head bowed, then raise your head, smile, and open your eyes wide right in front of them. Wow! Wouldn’t that be a spectacular introduction?

Just make sure you don’t ask for your drinks in a saucer ….

Taking Care of Your Eyes

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Despite the fact that lenses like the cat’s eye effect are particularly suitable for non prescription cases, you should still take great care with them, and seek professional advice to ensure that your eyes do not suffer from improper use. If you have poor eyesight already, you may be familiar with contact lenses and be able to fit them with confidence. If however, your vision is good, how will you know how to:-

* Insert your lenses into your eyes, and later how to remove them.

* Clean your lenses properly

* Store your lenses correctly

Each of these points is critical to the long life of your lenses, but more importantly, to the continued good health of your eyes. The correct fitting of your lens is important for your own comfort, because a loose fitting lens will float away from the eye. A good fitting lens will also help avoid scratching of the cornea when you try and remove them.

And don’t share your lenses with your friends. A guaranteed way to pass eye infections such as conjunctivitis and worse between you.